Fortnite’s Removal from App Store and Legal Battle Between Epic Games and Apple
Fortnite, the wildly popular battle royale game developed by Epic Games, was suddenly removed from Apple’s App Store in August 2020. This move came after a public spat between Epic and Apple over in-app purchases and payment systems.
The Reasons Behind Fortnite’s Removal
Fortnite was removed from the App Store after Epic Games announced that it would be using its own in-app payment system instead of Apple’s in-app purchases. This move violated Apple’s strict guidelines on in-app purchases, which require developers to use Apple’s payment system exclusively.
Epic Games argued that using Apple’s payment system would result in a 30% cut on all in-app purchases, which it deemed unfair. The company also accused Apple of being a monopoly and limiting consumer choice by requiring developers to use its payment system.
Apple responded by removing Fortnite from the App Store, citing Epic Games’ violation of its policies. This move was met with outrage from many gamers, who saw it as an attack on their right to choose how they pay for games.
The Legal Battle Between Epic Games and Apple
Epic Games immediately filed a lawsuit against Apple in California, alleging antitrust violations and monopolistic practices. The company also launched a FreeFortnite campaign on social media, urging fans to download the game from other sources.
Apple, for its part, has defended its policies and argued that they are necessary to maintain the integrity of the App Store and protect users from fraudulent apps. The company also accused Epic Games of stealing Apple’s intellectual property and using it in Fortnite without permission.
The Impact on Other Developers
Fortnite’s removal from the App Store has had a significant impact on other developers, who are now more cautious about distributing their games on iOS. Many developers have expressed concerns that Apple’s policies and guidelines are too restrictive and make it difficult to monetize their games.
Some developers have opted to distribute their games through alternative app stores or via their own websites, in order to bypass Apple’s strict controls. Others have chosen to focus on Android, where the Google Play Store offers more flexibility and fewer restrictions.
The Future of Fortnite on iOS
It is unclear when Fortnite will be available again on iOS. Epic Games has not provided any updates on the status of its legal battle with Apple, and the company has not indicated whether it plans to distribute Fortnite through alternative channels.
However, many experts believe that Apple will eventually relent and allow Fortnite back onto the App Store, in order to maintain its dominant position in the mobile gaming market. Others predict that the dispute between Epic Games and Apple will escalate, leading to a more fundamental shift in the way games are distributed on iOS.
FAQs
1. Why was Fortnite removed from the App Store?
Fortnite was removed because Epic Games violated Apple’s policies on in-app purchases.
2. What does this mean for other developers?
Other developers may need to be more cautious about distributing their games on iOS, and may need to explore alternative channels for distribution.